EAT

Charlie Trotter’s remains a bastion of Chicago fine dining. The restaurant recently celebrated its 21st anniversary, and to this day it remains one of Chicago’s and the country’s most significant restaurants. The atmosphere is staid but cozy, and the food is a mix of classic elegance and gentle innovation, with plenty of nods to Asian (specifically Japanese) ingredients. With Trotter’s you know what you’re getting—the best quality ingredients, a high-level service, engaging compositions—but always with an element of surprise.